Hardware counters to track utilization in a multithreading computer system

ABSTRACT

Embodiments relate tracking utilization in a multithreading (MT) computer system. According to one aspect, a computer system includes a configuration with a core configured to operate in a MT that supports multiple threads on shared resources of the core. The core is configured to perform a method that includes resetting a plurality of utilization counters. The utilization counters include a plurality of sets of counters. During each clock cycle on the core, a set of counters is selected from the plurality of sets of counters. The selecting is based on a number of currently active threads on the core. In addition, during each clock cycle a counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on an aggregation of one or more execution events at the multiple threads of the core. Values of the utilization counters are provided to a software program.

DOMESTIC PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,980, filed Mar. 27, 2014, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to a computer system supporting multiple threads, and more specifically, to hardware counters to track utilization in a multithreading computer system.

As processor speed of computer systems has increased over the past decades, there has not been a proportional increase in the speed in which the memory of such computer systems can be accessed. Thus, the faster the processor's cycle time, the more pronounced is the delay of waiting for data to be fetched from memory. The effects of such delays have been mitigated by various levels of caching, and in recent processors, by multithreading (MT).

MT allows various core resources of a processor to be shared by a plurality of instruction streams known as threads. Core resources can include instruction-execution units, caches, translation-lookaside buffers (TLBs), and the like, which may be collectively referred to generally as a core. During latency caused by a cache-miss or other delay in one thread, one or more other threads can utilize the core resources, thus increasing the utilization of the core resources. In a super-scalar processor simultaneous-multithreading (SMT) implementation, multiple threads may be simultaneously serviced by the core resources of one or more cores.

In contemporary hardware platforms, MT is typically implemented in a manner that is transparent to an operating system (OS) that runs on the MT hardware. One aspect of this characteristic is that the OS does not require modification to utilize the MT hardware. However, transparent MT operation with respect to the OS can result in high variability of response time, capacity provisioning, capacity planning, and billing. This variability can occur because the OS is unaware of whether its tasks have exclusive control of a core, or whether its tasks are executing as threads that share a core. By design, the highest capacity for a memory-intensive workload on MT-capable hardware is achievable when there is a high average thread density when the cores are in use. Additional capacity may be due to increased cache exploitation provided by MT. If an OS does not consistently maintain high average thread densities for utilized cores, then the additional overall throughput capacity provided by MT will not be available. For example, if the hardware runs a single MT thread per core when there is low compute utilization and runs with high thread density when there is high compute utilization, then it can be very difficult to determine how much total MT compute capacity is available to the workload. This hardware variability in the MT thread exploitation can lead to variability in both transaction response times and in billing in a similar fashion as previously described with respect to capacity.

SUMMARY

Embodiments include a method, system, and computer program product for tracking utilization in a multithreading (MT) computer system. According to one aspect, a computer system includes a configuration with a core configured to operate in a MT mode that supports multiple threads on shared resources of the core. The core is configured to perform a method that includes resetting a plurality of utilization counters. The utilization counters include a plurality of sets of counters. During each clock cycle on the core, a set of counters is selected from the plurality of sets of counters. The selecting is based on a number of currently active threads on the core. In addition, during each clock cycle a counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on an aggregation of one or more execution events at the multiple threads of the core. Values of the utilization counters are provided to a software program.

According to another aspect, a computer implemented method for tracking utilization in a configuration is provided. The configuration includes a core configured to operate in a multithreading (MT) mode. The MT mode supports multiple threads on shared resources of the core. The method includes resetting a plurality of utilization counters. The utilization counters include a plurality of sets of counters. During each clock cycle on the core, a set of counters is selected from the plurality of sets of counters. The selecting is based on a number of currently active threads on the core. In addition, during each clock cycle a counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on an aggregation of one or more execution events at the multiple threads of the core. Values of the utilization counters are provided to a software program.

According to a further aspect, a computer program product for tracking utilization in a configuration is provided. The configuration includes a core configured to operate in a multithreading (MT) mode. The MT mode supports multiple threads on shared resources of the core. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a signal, the program instructions readable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to perform a method. The method includes resetting a plurality of utilization counters. The utilization counters include a plurality of sets of counters. During each clock cycle on the core, a set of counters is selected from the plurality of sets of counters. The selecting is based on a number of currently active threads on the core. In addition, during each clock cycle a counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on an aggregation of one or more execution events at the multiple threads of the core. Values of the utilization counters are provided to a software program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as embodiments is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the embodiments are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a computing environment that may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 1B depicts a computing environment that may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts processing circuitry of a core that may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a computing environment that may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts an example of hypervisor context retention in a computing environment that may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5 depicts a process flow for dynamic enablement of multithreading in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6A depicts an example of a CPU address expansion process in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6B depicts an example of a CPU address contraction process in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 depicts a process flow for a set-multithreading order in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts an example of processing circuitry of a core that may be implemented to track utilization in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a configuration that captures utilization counters in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 10 depicts a process flow for tracking utilization in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 11 depicts a computer-readable medium according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments described herein provide performance monitoring of multithreading (MT) operations in a computer system that supports a single thread (ST) and a MT mode of operation. The system described herein enables software to mitigate hardware variability by requiring an operating system (OS) to explicitly “opt in” to exploit MT hardware. When the OS understands the MT nature of the execution environment, the OS has the ability to explicitly manage thread densities per processor core (to the best of its ability, given a workload dispatch pattern). The OS has the option to maintain high thread densities even when compute resources are less utilized, thereby mitigating much of the variability in total compute capacity that may be seen on other MT implementations. As a direct result of maintaining high thread densities, both the transaction response times and billing aspects may be more consistent. Multithreading value can be increased when there are consistently high thread densities per processor core.

In accordance with embodiments, in order to determine any missed opportunity for capacity growth, the OS control program is provided with the ability to query the machine for the number of instructions executed and cycles that a particular core spent running on one thread, two threads, and so on up to total number of threads on the core. In embodiments, hardware counters are provided to count events (e.g., number of instructions executed and number of clock cycles) in the core at various thread densities (e.g., one thread, two threads, etc.) and not on an individual thread or CPU basis. The hardware counters which increment can vary based upon how many threads are active in the core.

Software can obtain the information from the counters and use the counter information to determine when there is missed opportunity to execute more work on another thread of the core. From this information, the software can also be able to determine what percentage of the core resources were used by a single thread and use this information for software chargeback. By aggregating all of the information from the cores in a system, it is possible for the OS to do capacity planning such as calculating total capacity, used capacity, and free capacity.

As used herein, a logical thread refers to a single instruction stream and its associated state. That is, at an architecture level, each logical thread represents an independent central processing unit (CPU) or processor. At a hardware level, a thread is the execution of an instruction stream associated with a logical thread, combined with the maintaining of that guest state, when the thread is dispatched. Therefore, the terms “thread” and “CPU” may be used interchangeably herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, a CPU contains sequencing and processing facilities for instruction execution, interruption action, timing functions, initial program loading, and other machine-related functions. A CPU defines logical functions that may map to a variety of underlying physical implementations. The CPU, in executing instructions, can process binary integers and floating-point numbers (e.g., binary, decimal, and hexadecimal) of fixed length, decimal integers of variable length, and logical information of either fixed or variable length. Processing may be in parallel or in series. The width of processing elements, multiplicity of shifting paths, and the degree of simultaneity in performing different types of arithmetic can differ from one model of CPU to another without affecting the logical results.

Instructions which the CPU executes can include a number of instruction classes, such as: general, decimal, floating-point-support (FPS), binary-floating-point (BFP), decimal-floating-point (DFP), hexadecimal-floating-point (HFP), control, and I/O instructions. The general instructions can be used in performing binary-integer-arithmetic operations and logical, branching, and other non-arithmetic operations. The decimal instructions operate on data in decimal format. The BFP, DFP, and HFP instructions operate on data in BFP, DFP, and HFP formats, respectively, while the FPS instructions operate on floating-point data independent of the format or convert from one format to another. Privileged control instructions and the I/O instructions can be executed when the CPU is in a supervisor state, and semi-privileged control instructions can be executed in a problem state, subject to appropriate authorization mechanisms.

The CPU provides registers which are available to programs but do not have addressable representations in main storage. The registers can include, for instance, a current program-status word (PSW), general registers, floating-point registers and a floating-point-control register, vector registers, control registers, access registers, a prefix register, a time-of-day (TOD)-programmable register, and registers for a clock comparator and CPU timer. This set of registers may be referred to as the CPU's architected register context. Each CPU in a configuration can provide access to a TOD clock, which may be shared by all CPUs in the configuration. An instruction operation code can determine which type of register is to be used in an operation.

Each CPU may have a type attribute that indicates whether it provides a full complement of functions and facilities (e.g., a general CPU), or whether it is intended to process specific types of workloads (e.g., a specialty CPU). A primary CPU is either a general CPU or a CPU having the same type as the CPU started following a last initial program load (IPL) operation (the IPL CPU). A secondary CPU is any CPU other than a general CPU having a CPU type that differs from the IPL CPU.

A multithreading facility may be available on a computer system that implements a supporting architecture. The multithreading facility provides support for multithreading to enable a group of threads, which may also be referred to as CPUs, that share a core. When the multithreading facility is enabled, the CPUs within a core may share certain hardware resources such as execution units or caches. When one CPU in a core is waiting for hardware resources (typically, while waiting for a memory access), other CPUs in the core can utilize the shared resources in the core rather than have them remain idle. When the multithreading facility is installed and enabled, a thread is synonymous with a CPU that is a member of a core. When the multithreading facility is not installed, or the facility is installed but not enabled, a core comprises a single CPU or thread.

When the multithreading facility is installed, it may be enabled by execution of a set-multithreading signal processor (SIGP) order. In an exemplary embodiment, when the multithreading facility is enabled, the number of CPUs in a configuration is increased by a multiple, the value of which is determined by a program-specified maximum thread identification (PSMTID). The number of CPUs in a core can be one more than the PSMTID. A number of CPUs corresponding to this multiple are grouped into a core. Each core of the same CPU type in a configuration has the same number of CPUs. Each CPU within a core is of the same CPU type; however, based on the model and CPU type, some CPUs within a core may not be operational.

In an exemplary embodiment, a control program, such as an operating system (OS), explicitly enables multithreading in order for it to be usable by the configuration that the OS manages. Alternatively, a hypervisor can enable multithreading and guests of the hypervisor and their applications can benefit transparently. An application program is generally unaware of whether multithreading has been enabled. When multithreading is enabled, the CPU addresses of all CPUs in the configuration are adjusted to include a core identification (or core ID) in the leftmost bits of the address and a thread identification (thread ID, or TID) in the rightmost bits of the address. The core ID may also be referred to as a core address value, and the TID may be referred to as a thread address value. CPUs within a core may share certain hardware facilities such as execution units or lower-level caches, thus execution within one CPU of a core may affect the performance of other CPUs in the core.

In order to manage changes associated with dynamically switching one or more cores of a configuration between single thread and multithreading modes, a number of support features are included. To maintain compatibility with programs that do not support multithreading, a single thread mode may be the default mode upon a reset or deactivation. Exemplary embodiments include features to preserve, communicate, and restore thread context from the multithreading mode to support analysis and/or restoration of the thread context after transitioning from the multithreading mode to the single thread mode.

A computing environment that may be implemented by an exemplary embodiment can be based, for example, on the z/Architecture offered by International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y. The z/Architecture is described in an IBM® publication entitled, “z/Architecture Principles of Operation,” IBM Publication No. SA22-7832-09, August 2012, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In one example, a computing environment based on the z/Architecture includes an eServer zSeries, offered by International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y. A computing environment can include, for example, a processor complex with one or more partitions (e.g., logical partitions) with one or more cores (e.g., processor cores), and one or more levels of hypervisors as further described herein.

FIG. 1A shows a computer system 100 as an example of a computing environment that supports multithreading (MT). In the example of FIG. 1A, the computer system 100 includes a plurality of processor cores 102, an input/output (I/O) subsystem 104, and system memory 160. The I/O subsystem 104 can provide access to I/O devices known in the art. The processor cores 102, also referred to simply as “cores” herein, can include processing circuitry with supporting elements. In the example of FIG. 1A, five cores 102 are depicted as core1 110, core2 120, core3 130, core4 140, and cores 150; however, a greater or fewer number of cores 102 is also contemplated. An MT facility 103 may be a hardware component of each of the cores 102. In this example, each of the cores 102 is capable of supporting up to four threads. For instance, core1 110 can support threads 111, 112, 113, and 114. Core2 120 can support threads 121, 122, 123, and 124. Core3 130 can support threads 131, 132, 133, and 134. Core4 140 can support threads 141, 142, 143, and 144. Core5 150 can support threads 151, 152, 153, and 154. Note that not all four threads of each core 102 may be operational at any instant. For example, in core3 130, threads 131 and 132 can be operational while threads 133 and 134 are not operational (depicted with shading).

FIG. 1A also depicts the system memory 160 of the computer system 100, where parts of the system memory 160 are apportioned to logical partition1 (LPAR1) 170, LPAR2 180, and LPAR3 190. The LPARs 170, 180, 190 represent virtualized computing systems (also known as configurations) in which an operating system such as Linux or the IBM® z/OS™, z/VM, or zTPF operating system may be executed. FIG. 1A also shows the apportionment of the cores 102 to the LPARs 170, 180, 190. In this illustration, core1 110 and core2 120 are dedicated for use by LPAR1 170. Core3 130 is dedicated for use by LPAR2 180, and cores 150 is dedicated for use by LPAR3 190. Core4 140 may be shared between LPAR2 180 and LPAR3 190, but is shown as being assigned to LPAR2 180 in FIG. 1A. LPAR3 190 shows an example of two different types of cores 102 being employed by the partition, where core4 140 allows multiple threads to be operational, but cores 150 does not allow multiple threads to be operational in this example. In the example of FIG. 1A, LPAR1 170 provides processing resources for OS 171 and programs 172, 173, 174, and 175. LPAR2 180 provides processing resources for OS 181 and programs 182, 183, and 184. LPAR4 190 provides processing resources for OS 191 and programs 192 and 193.

Under control of an operating system executing in an LPAR, programs are executed on the threads of a core. In an exemplary embodiment, an individual thread executes only one program at time; however, a program that is designed to be re-entrant may be executed on multiple threads or cores simultaneously. For example, program 172 of OS 171 of LPAR1 170 may be executing on threads 111 and 113 in core1 110 and in threads 121 and 124 of core2 120. Subject to the control of an OS, different programs may be dispatched on the same or different threads, subject to dispatching rules and quality-of-service agreements.

Also residing in the system memory 160 are various levels of firmware, including for example, Millicode 162 and LPAR hypervisor 163. The Millicode 162 can be embodied as firmware to support lower-level system functions. The LPAR hypervisor 163 may be, for example, licensed internal code such as the IBM Processor-Resource/System Manager™ (PR/SM™). The LPAR hypervisor 163 can establish the LPARs 170, 180, 190 and may manage dispatching on the cores 102. When the MT facility 103 is installed in the computer system 100, the Millicode 162 and LPAR hypervisor 163 also contain MT facility support code 164 and 165 respectively. The MT facility support code 164 and 165 may be considered part of the MT facility 103, as logic to support MT can be distributed between the Millicode 162, LPAR hypervisor 163, and the cores 102. Although not depicted, each of the OSs 171, 181, 191 can also include MT facility support code to enable and exploit MT in their respective LPARs 170, 180, 190.

FIG. 1B shows the same computing system 100 as FIG. 1A, except that in the computing environment of FIG. 1B, core4 140 is now assigned to LPAR3 190 instead of LPAR2 180. Also note that unlike FIG. 1A, where threads 143 and 144 were not operational, in FIG. 1B, all four threads 141-144 are operational when LPAR3 190 is dispatched on core4 140. The dispatching and undispatching of an LPAR on a core 102 is dynamic, and at other times other LPARs (not shown) may be operating on the same cores 102.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of processing circuitry 200 for implementing a processing core, such as one of the cores 102 in FIGS. 1A and 1B, is generally shown in accordance with an embodiment. The processing circuitry 200 is an example of a processing circuit that can support one or more threads simultaneously in a MT environment. The processing circuitry 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes a system controller interface unit 202 that can couple the processing circuitry 200 to other processors and peripheral devices. The system controller interface unit 202 can also connect a Dcache 204, which reads and stores data values, an Icache 208, which reads program instructions, and a cache interface unit 206 to external memory, processors, and other peripheral devices.

The Icache 208 can provide loading of instruction streams in conjunction with an instruction fetch unit (IFU) 210, which pre-fetches instructions and may include speculative loading and branch prediction capabilities. The fetched instructions can be provided to an instruction decode unit (IDU) 212 for decoding into instruction processing data.

The IDU 212 can provide the instructions to an issue unit 214 which can control the issuing of the instructions to various execution units, such as one or more fixed point units (FXU) 216 for executing general operations and one or more floating point units (FPU) 218 for executing floating point operations. The FPUs 218 can include a binary floating point unit (BFU) 220, a decimal floating point unit (DFU) 222, or any other floating point unit. The issue unit 214 can also be coupled to one or more load/store units (LSU) 228 via one or more LSU pipelines. The multiple LSU pipelines are treated as execution units for performing loads and stores and address generation for branches. Both the LSU 228 and the IFU 210 can utilize a translation-lookaside-buffer (TLB) 230 to provide buffered translations for the operand and instruction addresses.

The FXU 216 and FPU 218 are coupled to various resources such as general-purpose registers (GPR) 224 and floating point registers (FPR) 226. The GPR 224 and FPR 226 provide data value storage for data values loaded and stored from the Dcache 204 by a LSU 228.

The processing circuitry 200 can also include counters and/or timers 250 to support system time-base generation and diagnostic actions. For example, the counters and/or timers 250 may be used to support time-of-day, as well as various diagnostic and measurement facilities.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a computing environment similar to FIG. 1A is depicted except that in FIG. 3, a second-level hypervisor 300 is executing in LPAR2 180 of the computer system 100. The second-level hypervisor 300, for example, the IBM z/VM operating system, includes MT support code 301, similar to the MT support code 165 provided by the LPAR (first-level) hypervisor 163. The second-level hypervisor 300 provides support for a plurality of virtual machines 310, 320, and 330 (also referred to as configurations) in which guest operating systems 311, 321, and 331 operate respectively. The guest operating systems 311, 321, and 331 may include, for example, Linux or the IBM z/OS, z/VM, or z/TPF OS, or may include a guest development environment such as the IBM conversational monitor system (CMS). Each guest OS 311, 321, and 331 may or may not enable multithreading, in which case the second-level hypervisor 300 may be responsible for dispatching the guest OSs 311, 321, 331 and associated programs 312, 313, 322, 323, 332, and 333 using the physical processing resources (cores 130, 140 and threads 131-134, 141-144) that are available to the LPAR2 180 in which the second-level hypervisor 300 operates. The programs 312, 313, 322, 323, 332, 333 of the various virtual machines 310, 320, 330 can execute on the threads 131-134, 141-144 available to the respective guest OSs 311, 321, and 331. The guest OSs 311, 321, and 331 need not include MT support code, as they can benefit from MT transparently.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an example of hypervisor context retention in a computing environment that may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment is depicted. In the example of FIG. 4, a number of support structures are depicted within the LPAR hypervisor 163 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. For example, structures 410 can support LPAR1 170 of FIG. 1A, including state descriptions and satellite blocks that store architected register context (i.e., thread context) for logical threads 411, 412, 413, 414, 421, 422, 423, 424 which are currently running on physical threads 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122, 123, 124 as shown in FIG. 1A. While these logical threads are dispatched, the physical threads hold the current architected register context of the threads. The architected register context will be maintained in the state descriptions and satellite blocks when they are no longer dispatched. Structures 430 can support LPAR2 180 of FIG. 1A, including state descriptions and satellite blocks that store architected register context for logical threads 431, 432, 441, 442 which are currently running on physical threads 131, 132, 141, 142 as shown in FIG. 1A. Structures 450 can support LPAR3 190 of FIG. 1A, including state descriptions and satellite blocks that store architected register context for logical threads 451 which is currently running on physical thread 151 as shown in FIG. 1A. Structures 450 also include state descriptions and satellite blocks that store architected register context for logical threads 461, 462, 463 and 464 which are not currently dispatched on a physical processor (as shown with shading). Other structures supporting LPARs that are not dispatched on physical cores can also be retained by the LPAR hypervisor 163, such as structures 470 for an LPAR A (not depicted in FIG. 1A) including state descriptions and satellite structures for logical threads 471, 472, 473, and 474. Further structure examples include structures 480 supporting non-dispatched LPAR B (not depicted in FIG. 1A) including state descriptions and satellite structures for logical threads 481 and 482, as well as structures 484 for non-dispatched LPAR C (not depicted in FIG. 1A) for logical thread 485.

Although a number of structures are depicted in the example of FIG. 4, it will be understood that additional structures can be supported by the LPAR hypervisor 163 and elsewhere in computer system 100 to manage multithreading. For example, structures to support multithreading of virtual machines 310, 320, 330 of FIG. 3 can be retained by the second-level hypervisor 300 of FIG. 3.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a process flow 500 for dynamic enablement of multithreading is depicted in accordance with an embodiment. At block 502, a primary thread executes in a single thread (ST) mode. At block 504, a multithreading (MT) mode setting instruction is fetched in the ST mode. In executing this instruction as depicted collectively at 505, a number of threads requested from a location specified by the MT mode setting instruction is obtained at block 506. The location can be specified by a parameter register when issuing the set-MT mode instruction. The MT mode setting instruction can be a signal processor (SIGP) instruction including a set-MT order and a program-specified maximum thread-id (PSMTID) associated with the number of threads requested. An example of a process associated with a set-MT order of a SIGP instruction is further described herein in reference to FIG. 7.

Continuing with process 500, at block 508, a determination is performed as to whether the number of threads requested indicates multiple threads. For example, multiple threads can be indicated by a value greater than one. In embodiments where a value of zero indicates a single thread, a value of one or more than one can indicate multiple threads. Based on determining that the number of threads requested does not indicate multiple threads, the core remains in ST mode at block 510, the execution of the set-MT mode instruction is complete, and control returns to block 502. Based on determining that the number of threads requested indicates multiple threads, MT mode is enabled at block 512, and the execution of the set-MT mode instruction is complete. At block 514, multiple threads are executed including the primary and one or more secondary threads. At block 516, if there is no reset or deactivation, the process 500 loops back to block 514; otherwise, at block 518, MT mode is disabled based on a reset or a deactivation of the configuration which reverts to ST mode. As part of disabling the MT mode, the number of threads (PSMTID) is retained for a non-clearing reset or zeroed for a clearing reset. The process 500 returns to block 502.

A CPU can enter a load state when a load-normal, load-with-dump, load-clear, or load-clear-list-directed key is activated. If a channel-command word (CCW)-type initial-program-loading operation is completed successfully, the CPU changes from the load state to the operating state.

A CPU reset can be used to clear equipment-check indications and any resultant unpredictability in the CPU state with the least amount of information destroyed. In particular, it can be used to clear check conditions when the CPU state is to be preserved for analysis or resumption of the operation. If a CPU reset is caused by the activation of the load-normal or load-with-dump key, (a) it can set an architectural mode to a default mode, and (b) if the multithreading facility is installed and enabled, multithreading is disabled. When the CPU reset sets the default mode, it can save the current PSW so that PSW can be restored.

An initial CPU reset provides functions of a CPU reset together with initialization of the current PSW, CPU timer, clock comparator, and other registers, such as: breaking-event-address, captured-PSW, control, floating-point-control, prefix, and TOD programmable registers. The initial CPU reset can set the architectural mode to the default mode if it is caused by activation of the load-normal or load-with-dump key. If multithreading is enabled when an initial CPU reset is caused by activation of the load-normal or load-with-dump key, the initial-CPU-reset functions can be performed for the lowest-numbered CPU of a core, and the CPU reset is performed for all other CPUs in the core. A clearing reset causes the initial CPU reset and subsystem reset to be performed and, additionally, clears or initializes all storage locations and registers in all CPUs in the configuration, with the exception of the TOD clock. Clearing does not affect external storage, such as direct-access storage devices used by the control program to hold the contents of unaddressable pages.

A CPU power-on reset causes the initial CPU reset to be performed and clears the contents of general registers, access registers, control registers, and floating-point registers to zeroes/default values with a valid checking-block code. It will be understood that clearing or initializing of states need not be to zero values but can default to non-zero values in the cleared state. If a CPU power-on reset establishes the configuration, it can set the architectural mode to the default mode; otherwise, it may set the architectural mode to that of the CPUs already in the configuration. CPU reset, initial CPU reset, subsystem reset, and clear reset may be initiated manually.

In exemplary embodiments, each CPU has a number assigned, called its CPU address. A CPU address uniquely identifies one CPU within a configuration. A CPU is designated by specifying this address in a CPU-address field of a SIGP instruction. A CPU signaling a malfunction alert, emergency signal, or external call can be identified by storing this address in the CPU-address field with the interruption. The CPU address is assigned by a configuration-definition process and is not typically changed as a result of reconfiguration changes. A program can determine the address of a CPU by using a store CPU address instruction. The store CPU address instruction can also be used to identify a CPU address by which a CPU is identified in a multiprocessing configuration.

When multithreading is enabled, the CPU address can include a core identification (core ID), concatenated with an identification of a CPU within the core. The CPU identification within a core is a thread identification (thread ID, or TID). Within a configuration, all cores provide the same number of CPUs; however, depending on the model and CPU type, some CPUs in a core may not be operational.

Based on the PSMTID of a parameter register used by the signal processor set multithreading order, a fixed number of bits represent the thread identification. This number of bits is referred to as the TID width.

The core ID can be formed from the rightmost bits of the CPU address before multithreading is enabled. The core ID is shifted left by TID-width bits, resulting in the leftmost bits of the CPU address after multithreading is available. The thread ID has the same TID-width number of bits, and occupies the rightmost bits of the CPU address after multithreading is enabled. Thread IDs can be assigned in a contiguous range of numbers. Table 1 illustrates an example relationship of the PSMTID, the TID width and the CPU-address bits comprising the core identification and thread identification.

TABLE 1 Example address bit mapping CPU Address Bits PSMTID TID Width Core ID Thread ID 0 0 0-15 — 1 1 0-14 15 2-3 2 0-13 14-15 4-7 3 0-12 13-15  8-15 4 0-11 12-15 16-31 5 0-10 11-15

Address expansion is depicted in FIG. 6A as an example of a CPU address expansion process 600A in accordance with an embodiment. At block 602, a primary thread can be accessed in the ST mode using a core address value 604 as a number of CPU address bits. Arrow 606 indicates switching from the ST mode to the MT mode. At block 608, the primary thread or one or more secondary threads can be accessed in the MT mode using an expanded address value 610. The expanded address value 610 includes the core address value 604 shifted as a shifted core address value 612 and concatenated with a thread address value 614. The shifted core address value 612 is a core identifier (core ID), and the thread address value 614 is a thread identifier (TID). The shifted core address value 612 can be shifted by an amount based on a requested maximum thread identifier, e.g., PSMTID. A number of TID bits in the thread address value 614 can be determined based on the PSMTID as shown in table 1 above. The thread address value 614 can be concatenated to low order bits of the shifted core address value 612 to form the expanded address value 610. A thread address value 614 of all zeroes would designate the primary thread, and values greater than zero identify and address secondary threads.

When switching between the MT mode and ST mode, either the core address value 604 (ST mode) or the expanded address value 610 (MT mode) is selected to use as a CPU address in a respective ST mode or MT mode. The core address value 604 is an example of a standard-format address used in ST mode, and the core reverts from the MT mode to the ST mode based on disabling the MT mode. In an exemplary embodiment, only the primary thread (i.e., not secondary threads) is accessible based on disabling the MT mode. FIG. 6B depicts an example of a CPU address contraction process 600B in accordance with an embodiment. Arrow 616 of FIG. 6B illustrates switching from the MT mode of block 608 back to the ST mode of block 602. Reversion from the MT mode to the ST mode can include shifting the expanded address value 610 to the right and eliminating the thread address value 614 to form a standard-format address including the core address value 604 (core ID) as the CPU address from the shifted core address value 612.

When a reset function disables multithreading, (a) the CPU address(es) of the CPU(s) having the thread-ID zero are shifted to the right by the same TID-width number of bits used during enablement, (b) zeroes are inserted in the TID-width number of bits on the left of the address, and (c) the CPU address reverts to its original non-multithreading format (i.e., standard-format address). All CPUs in a core having nonzero thread IDs when multithreading is enabled are no longer operational when multithreading is disabled.

When multithreading is not enabled, the CPU address remains unchanged from the value assigned by the configuration-definition process. In this case, the thread identification does not exist.

A number of signal processor orders can provide orders to CPUs including, for example, start, stop, restart, stop and store status, initial CPU reset, CPU reset, store status at address, set architecture, sense running status, set multithreading, store additional status at address, and the like. An initial CPU reset or a CPU reset can be initiated by a signal processor instruction and does not affect the architectural mode or other CPUs, does not disable multithreading, and does not cause I/O to be reset.

A set architecture order specifies an architectural mode to which all CPUs in the configuration are to be set. Architecture differences can include different addressing modes, register definitions, and instructions supported by the CPUs. Upon a change in architectural mode, select bit fields of registers can be set to a default state (e.g., zeroed), access-register-translation lookaside buffers (ALBs) and translation lookaside buffers (TLBs) of all CPUs in the configuration are cleared, and a serialization and checkpoint-synchronization function can be performed on all CPUs in the configuration.

A sense running status order can indicate whether an addressed CPU is running. In ST mode, an indicator can be returned as a running/not running status. In MT mode, an indicator can be used to identify whether any CPU of the core in which the addressed CPU is a member is running, or all CPUs of the core in which the addressed CPU is a member are not running.

A set-MT order enables the multithreading facility. Bit positions of a parameter register can contain the PSMTID to be provided in the configuration. The PSMTID can be defined as one less than the number of CPUs to be made addressable in each core. For example, a value of 3 in designated bit positions indicates that a maximum of four threads are to be provided. The contents of a CPU-address register of the SIGP instruction can be ignored as all CPUs in the configuration are considered to be addressed. If accepted, the set-MT order is completed by all CPUs during the execution of the SIGP instruction. With reference to FIG. 7, a process 700 for a SIGP set-MT order 702 is depicted. An error indication can be provided and enablement of the MT mode prevented based on determining that the SIGP set-MT order 702 was issued with one or more of: an invalid order, an incorrect state, and an invalid parameter, as further described herein in reference to the process 700 of FIG. 7.

If the multithreading facility is not installed at block 704 or the CPU is not enabled in a valid architecture mode 708, then the set-MT order is not accepted and an invalid order indication may be returned at blocks 706 or 710 respectively. If the other CPUs in the configuration are not in the stopped or check-stop state at block 712, or if the configuration is already enabled for multithreading at block 716, the set-MT order is not accepted and an incorrect state indication may be returned at block 714 or 718 respectively.

If the PSMTID is invalid at block 720, then the set-MT order is not accepted and an invalid parameter indication may be returned at block 722. When the PSMTID is zero at block 724, the configuration is not enabled for multithreading, remains in ST mode, and provides any status as a condition code at block 728. In an exemplary embodiment, when the PSMTID is valid and nonzero, at block 726, the configuration is enabled for multithreading, resulting in CPU-address expansion, the ALBs and TLBs of all CPUs in the configuration are cleared of their contents, and a serialization and checkpoint-synchronization function is performed on all CPUs in the configuration. Status can be provided at block 728 in a condition code. Upon successful completion, all CPUs other than the CPU executing the set-MT order remain in the stopped or check-stop state. However, if a CPU was in the check-stop state before multithreading is enabled, it may be unpredictable whether the CPUs having nonzero thread IDs in the same core are placed in the stopped or check-stopped state.

A thread context may also be referred to as an architected register context. The architected register context (that is, the contents of the PSW, CPU timer, clock comparator, general registers, floating-point registers and floating-point control register, vector registers, control registers, access registers, prefix register, and TOD-programmable register, etc.) of each CPU before multithreading is enabled becomes the architected register context of the CPU having TID zero of each respective core after multithreading is enabled. Similarly, the architected register context of the CPU having TID zero of each core of an MT-enabled configuration becomes the architected register context of each respective CPU when multithreading is disabled as a result of the activation of a load-normal or load-with-dump key.

The architected register context of all CPUs having a nonzero thread identification can be retained when the multithreading facility is disabled as a result of the activation of a load-normal or load-with-dump key operation. If the multithreading facility is subsequently re-enabled without an intervening clear reset, the architected register context of all CPUs having a nonzero thread identification are restored.

When multithreading is re-enabled after having been disabled by the activation of the load-normal or load-with-dump key, if the value of the PSMTID in bits of the parameter register differs from that used in the preceding enablement, then the architected register context of all CPUs having nonzero thread IDs can be unpredictable.

A store system information instruction can be used to store information about a component or components of a configuration into a system-information block (SYSIB). The SYSIB can include an MT installed field, an MT general field, a total CPU/core count, a configured CPU/core count, a standby CPU/core count, a reserved CPU/core count, and other fields. The MT installed field can indicate whether the multithreading facility is installed and may also indicate the highest supported TID for a first core type, e.g., a specialty core type. The MT general field can indicate the highest supported TID for a second core type, e.g., a general core type. The highest supported TID in the MT general field may be limited to being less than or equal to the highest supported TID in the MT installed field. The total CPU/core count may indicate a total number of general CPUs or cores comprising general CPUs in the configuration, whether in the configured, standby, or reserved state. The configured CPU/core count can indicate a number of general CPUs or cores comprising general CPUs in the configured state, i.e., in the configuration and ready to execute programs. The standby CPU/core count indicates a number of general CPUs or cores comprising general CPUs in the standby state, i.e., not available to be used to execute programs until placed in the configured state. The reserved CPU/core count indicates a number of general CPUs or cores comprising general CPUs in the reserved state, i.e., unavailable to be used to execute programs and unable to be placed in the configured state.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a block diagram of processing circuitry 800 for implementing hardware counters to provide MT utilization information in accordance with an embodiment is generally shown. In an embodiment, the processing circuitry 800 shown in FIG. 8 is included in the processing circuitry 200 shown in FIG. 2. The processing circuitry 800 includes execution event counters 802, a core clock 806, a control signal 804, a PSW 810, and a thread validity mask (TVM) 808. In an embodiment where a physical core includes four threads, a first set of counters 802 is assigned to count execution events and clock cycles when one thread is active, a second set of counters 802 is assigned to count execution events and clock cycles when two threads are active, a third set of counters 802 are assigned to count execution events and clock cycles when three threads are active, and a fourth set of counters 802 are assigned to count execution events and clock cycles when four threads are active.

A thread is active when it is valid and is not currently in a wait state (e.g., waiting for an interrupt and/or not fetching instructions). Thus, an active thread can be fetching instructions. The validity of a thread can be determined, for example, based on contents of the thread validity mask (TVM) 808, which can be provided as part of the state information about the logical threads currently executing on the core. In an embodiment, the TVM 808 includes a bit for each thread which indicates whether a particular thread is valid or invalid, and can be cached in hardware on the core 110. The validity of a thread can also be determined based on one or more signals containing thread validity information that are received from system management software (e.g., a hypervisor, BIOS).

In an embodiment, a PSW 810 for a thread can be used to determine whether a thread is currently in a wait state. Generally, an interrupt will cause a thread in a wait state to become active. Alternatively, in another embodiment, other internal processor state information may be used to determine when a thread is active. The core clock 806 shown in FIG. 2, which is used by the counters 802 to count clock cycles, can be implemented by, or derived from, a system clock used by the processing circuitry 200. Also shown in FIG. 8 is a control signal 804 which may be used to determine when instructions have completed. Alternatively, information from an issue unit (e.g., issue unit 214 in FIG. 2) or an instruction fetch unit (e.g., instruction fetch unit 210 in FIG. 2) can be used to indicate to the counters 802 a number of instructions completed.

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a configuration that captures utilization counters in accordance with an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 9, a configuration 950 includes a pair of cores 900A and 900B. Each of the cores 900A and 900B includes utilization counters 902 and four threads, thread0, thread1, thread2, and thread3. In addition, the utilization counters 902 can be divided into different sets of counters for each possible active thread count (in this case 1, 2, 3, 4). The utilization counters 902 shown in FIG. 9 include: set one—MT1CC for counting a number of clock cycles when one of the four threads is active and MT1IC for counting a number of instructions that were completed when one of the four threads is active; set two—MT2CC for counting a number of clock cycles when two of the four threads are active and MT2IC for counting a number of instructions that were completed when two of the four threads are active; set 3—MT3CC for counting a number of clock cycles when three of the four threads are active and MT3IC for counting a number of instructions that were completed when three of the four threads are active; and set 4—MT4CC for counting a number of clock cycles when all of the four threads are active and MT4IC for counting a number of instructions that were completed when all of the four threads are active.

In an embodiment, the utilization counters 902 are activated on core 900A when MT is enabled on the core 900A via, for example upon completion of an accepted set-multithreading signal processor (SIGP) order. Similarly, the utilization counters 902 can be activated on core 900B when MT is enabled on core 900B. In an embodiment, the utilization counters 902 are disabled on core 900A by any action which causes the MT to be disabled on the core 900A. Similarly, the utilization counters 902 can be disabled on core 900B when MT is disabled on core 900B. In embodiment, after MT is disabled on a core the counter set of MT1CC and MT1IC can continue to increment when the core is operating in ST mode.

In an embodiment, the contents of the utilization counters can be read by a software instruction executed, for example by an operating system or hypervisor.

Turning now to FIG. 10, a process flow for MT utilization counting on a core is generally shown in accordance with an embodiment. Utilization counters for a core are activated at block 1002. The activating of the utilization counters can include resetting the counters. In an embodiment, the processing shown in FIG. 10, from block 1004 through block 1026, is performed once per clock cycle. The processing shown in FIG. 10 can be used to increment one or more utilization counters based on an aggregation of one or more execution events at the multiple threads of the core.

At block 1004 it is determined (e.g., based on contents of a TVM and/or PSW) whether exactly one thread is active. If one thread is active, then processing continues at block 1006 where the MT1CC counter, which counts the number of clock cycles where the core has one thread active, is incremented by one. At block 1008 it is determined (e.g., based on the value of a control signal) if an execution event(s) has been detected. If an execution event(s) has been detected, then block 1010 is performed to increment the corresponding counter, which counts the number of execution event(s) completed by the core when one thread is active. Processing then continues at block 1004 in the next clock cycle. If an execution event was not detected, as determined at block 1008, processing continues at block 1004 in the next clock cycle.

If it is determined at block 1004, that more than one thread is active (implied since exactly one thread is not active), then the process continues at block 1012, where it is it is determined whether exactly two threads are active. If two threads are active, then processing continues at block 1014 where the MT2CC counter, which counts the number of clock cycles where the core has two threads active, is incremented by one. At block 1016 it is determined if an execution event(s) has been detected. If an execution event(s) has been detected on either of the two threads, then block 1018 is performed to increment the corresponding counter, which counts the number of execution event(s) completed by the core when two threads are active. In an embodiment, if an execution event is detected on both threads, then the corresponding counter is incremented by two. Processing then continues at block 1004 in the next clock cycle. If an execution event was not detected, as determined at block 1016, processing continues at block 1004 in the next clock cycle.

Similar processing continues for each thread in the core. At block 1020, if it is determined that exactly “N” threads are active, then processing continues at block 1022, otherwise an error condition can be reported. At block 1022, the MTNCC counter, which counts the number of clock cycles where the core has N threads active, is incremented by one. At block 1024 it is determined if an execution event(s) has been detected. If an execution event(s) has been detected on any of the N threads, then block 1026 is performed to increment the corresponding counter, which counts the number of execution events detected by the core when N threads are active. Processing then continues at block 1004 in the next clock cycle. If an execution event was not detected, as determined at block 1024, processing continues at block 1004 in the next clock cycle.

In this manner, the occurrence of an execution event is tracked and the results aggregated across multiple cores. An execution event, as used herein, refers to any event on a thread of the core that can be tracked such as, but not limited to a clock cycle, an instruction completion, a cache miss, and a branch misprediction.

Technical effects and benefits include the ability to collect utilization information for a core in a computer system that supports both a single thread mode and a multithreading mode of operation.

Embodiments include a method, system, and computer program product for tracking utilization in a multithreading (MT) computer system. According to one aspect, a computer system includes a configuration with a core configured to operate in a MT mode that supports multiple threads on shared resources of the core. The core is configured to perform a method that includes resetting a plurality of utilization counters. The utilization counters include a plurality of sets of counters. During each clock cycle on the core, a set of counters is selected from the plurality of sets of counters. The selecting is based on a number of currently active threads on the core. In addition, during each clock cycle a counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on an aggregation of one or more execution events at the multiple threads of the core. Values of the utilization counters are provided to a software program.

According to another aspect, a computer implemented method for tracking utilization in a configuration is provided. The configuration includes a core configured to operate in a multithreading (MT) mode. The MT mode supports multiple threads on shared resources of the core. The method includes resetting a plurality of utilization counters. The utilization counters include a plurality of sets of counters. During each clock cycle on the core, a set of counters is selected from the plurality of sets of counters. The selecting is based on a number of currently active threads on the core. In addition, during each clock cycle a counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on an aggregation of one or more execution events at the multiple threads of the core. Values of the utilization counters are provided to a software program.

A further aspect is a computer program product for tracking utilization in a configuration. The configuration includes a core configured to operate in a multithreading (MT) mode. The MT mode supports multiple threads on shared resources of the core. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a signal, the program instructions readable by a processing circuit to cause the processing circuit to perform a method. The method includes resetting a plurality of utilization counters. The utilization counters include a plurality of sets of counters. During each clock cycle on the core, a set of counters is selected from the plurality of sets of counters. The selecting is based on a number of currently active threads on the core. In addition, during each clock cycle a counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on an aggregation of one or more execution events at the multiple threads of the core. Values of the utilization counters are provided to a software program.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments can include where the execution event includes a clock cycle and the counter in the selected set of counters is incremented by one.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments can include where the execution event further includes an instruction completion and an other counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on a number of instruction completions on all of the currently active threads during the clock cycle.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments can include where the execution event further includes a cache miss and an other counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on a number of cache misses on all of the currently active threads during the clock cycle.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments can include where the execution event further includes a branch misprediction and an other counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on a number of branch mispredictions on all of the currently active threads during the clock cycle.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments can include where a thread is currently active when the thread is valid and not in a wait state.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments can include where the software program is an operating system or a hypervisor.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a computer program product 1100 in accordance with an embodiment that includes a computer readable storage medium 1102 and program instructions 1104 is generally shown.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method for tracking utilization in a configuration comprising a core configured to operate in a multithreading (MT) mode, the MT mode supporting multiple threads on shared resources of the core, the method comprising: resetting a plurality of utilization counters, the utilization counters comprising a plurality of sets of counters including a first set of counters and a second set of counters, each set of counters corresponding to a different number of currently active threads and each set of counters non-overlapping with each other set of counters; performing for each clock cycle on the core: selecting a set of counters from the plurality of sets of counters, the selecting based on a number of currently active threads on the core and not based on which specific threads of the multiple threads are currently active, wherein the first set of counters is selected based on exactly one of the multiple threads being currently active, and the second set of counters is selected based on exactly two of the multiple threads being currently active; and incrementing a counter in the selected set of counters, the incrementing based on an aggregation of one or more execution events at the multiple threads of the core; and providing values of the utilization counters to a software program.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the execution event includes a clock cycle and the counter in the selected set of counters is incremented by one.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the execution event further includes an instruction completion and an other counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on a number of instruction completions on all of the currently active threads during the clock cycle.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the execution event further includes a cache miss and an other counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on a number of cache misses on all of the currently active threads during the clock cycle.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the execution event further includes a branch misprediction and an other counter in the selected set of counters is incremented based on a number of branch mispredictions on all of the currently active threads during the clock cycle.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein a thread is currently active when the thread is valid and not in a wait state.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the software program is an operating system or a hypervisor. 